Shaft-coupling.



'No. 755,053. I PATENTED MAR. 22, 1904.

G. N. SCOTT.

SHAFT COUPLING.

- APPLIOATION FILED mm. a. 1903.

N0 110mm. 2 sums-sum 1.

PATENTED MAR. 22, 1904.

I 0. N, SCOTT.

SHAFT COUPLING.

APPLIOLTIOH FILED D30. 3, 1903.

2 mum's-4113mm- 2.

H0 IODEL.

ga ,4235% w coupling.

UNITED STATES Patented March 22, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

CLARENCE N. SCOTT, OF BUFFALO, NEV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNA- TIONAL STEABI PUNIP COLTPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SHAFT-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 755,053, dated March 22, 1904.

Application filed December 3, 1903. Serial No. 183,550. (No model.) i

To (1] Z whom/ it mmrq concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE N. SCOTT, a subject of the King of England, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Shaft-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to shaftcouplings, but more particularly to couplings for shafts which are incapable of axial movement.

In large multiplex engines having their crank-shafts arranged axially in line it is impractical to make the shafts in one piece on account of the difiiculty in handling the same either while constructing and assembling the engines or while dismembering the same for transportation or repairs. These shafts are incapable of axial movement to any considerable extent and are inserted or removed from their bearings by a vertical or lateral move ment, for which purpose the bearings are divided. to move axially, it is impossible to interlock the opposing ends of the same, as this would prevent the shafts from being moved laterally independently of each other.

The object of this invention is to provide simple and efficient means for connecting two or more of such shafts and holding the same in alinement and still permit the same to be freely and independently placed in their bearings or removed therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of two sheets, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a duplex gas engine and compressor having its two crank-shafts connected by my improved Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section in line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of one of the bearings. Fig. 4 is a transverse section, on an enlarged scale, taken in line L 45, Fig. 2, and showing the crankshafts, their bearings, and the coupling between the same in detail. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary diametrical section, on an enlarged scale, taken in line 5 5, Fig. 4.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Owing to the inability of these shafts A A represent the cylinders of a duplex gas-engine, which are arranged parallel, and side by side, B B the cylinders of two gascompressors, arranged axially in line with the engine-cylinders, and C the crank-shaft, composed of two sections which are arranged transversely between the engine and compressor cylinders and operatii ely connected with the pistons of said cylinders in any suitable or well-known manner. Each of the crank-shaft sections is journaled on opposite sides of its crank c in bearings E E. The shaft-section is free to rotate in its bearings, but prevented from moving axially to any considerable extent by means of shoulders ff, formed thereon adjacent to the other side of its crankarms and engaging against the inner side of its bearings, as shown in Fig. 4y Each of the bearings is divided and has its upper part or cap 0 detachably connected by bolts with the lower part or pedestal e in a manner common in divided bearings for the purpose of permitting the shaft to be moved vertically or laterally into or out of its bearings. The shaft-sections of both pairs of engine and compressor cylinders are arranged in axial alinement and end to end, and the opposing ends of both sections abut against each other, but are not interlocked. Upon the inner end of each shaft-section is arranged a coupling-collar or annular flange G, which has its face preferably flush with the inner end of its shaft-section. These flanges are preferably made separate from their shaftsection and secured thereon by slightly tapering the inner end of the section and engaging the correspondingly-tapered bore of its flanges with the same. The flange is pressed axially on its shaft-section until it bears against a shoulder g on the same and then a key 7b is inserted between the flange and the shaft-section for insuring turning together of these parts. The faces of the coupling flanges abut or nearly abut, but do not interlock.

I represents longitudinal coupling-bolts which pass through the flanges of both shaftsections and rigidly connect the same.

u rrechw m LUHGIS talent at. waved J represents a centering-ring which sursurrounds the ad acent couplinghinges on the opposing ends of the shaft-sections and engages its bore snugly with the periphm'y This ring is preferably divided of the same. and forms the hub of a fly-wheel K, which is employed for balancing the compressor-engine. The parts or sections of this divided fly-wheel are connected in any suitable manner, the preferred connection shown in the drawings comprising tangential bolts Z", passing through the wheel-sections adjacent to the centering-ring. In order to compel the fly-wheel and the shafts to rotate together, longitudinal keys j are interposed between the centering-ring and the coupling-flanges, the periphery of the latter and the bore of the centeringring having suitable key-receiving grooves or seats for this purpose.

In assembling the parts the shafts are lowered into their bearings, the bearing-caps are fastened over the shafts, and the couplingbolts I are applied to the flanges. The sections of the fly-wheel of which the hub forms the centering-ring are next applied to the coupling-flanges, the wheel-sections being connected with each other by the bolts k and caused to turn positively with the flanges and shafts by inserting the keys j. When it is desired to remove the shafts from their bearings, the parts are dismembered in the reverse order of that just described.

By constructing the opposing ends of the shaft-sections and the faces of the couplingflanges so that they are non-interlocking it is possible to lower each shaft-section into its bearings and lift the same therefrom independent of the other shaft-section without requiring either section to be moved axially for this purpose. The centering-ring serves the double function of holding the shaft-sections reliably in axial alinement and of furnishing a convenient means for mounting the fly-wheel on the shafts.

It will be observed that when the parts are assembled in the manner described the shaftl 1 l 1 i sections, coupling-flanges, and centering-ring are rigidly held against axial movement relatively to one another. This is especially desirable for coupling the sections of large divided shafts which when coupled must be perfectly rigid axially.

\Vhile my improved shaft-coupling is shown as connecting the shaft of a duplex engine composed of two sections, it obviously may be used for coupling sectional shafts of other machines in which similar conditions exist or for coupling the sections of a shaft which is composed of more than two sections.

1 claim as my invention 1. The combination of a shaft comprising a plurality of non-interlocking sections ar ranged axially in line, non-interlocking flanges arranged on the opposing ends of said sections, bolts passing lengthwise through said flanges and rigidly connecting the same. a sectional ring surrounding two adjacent flanges, bolts connecting the sections of the ring and rigidly clamping the same on both flanges, and keys interposed between said ring and flanges, substantially asset forth.

2. The combination of divided bearings, a shaft comprising a plurality of non-interlocking sections rotating in said bearings and provided with shoulders engaging the side of said bearings for holding the shaft against axial movement therein, non-interlocking flanges arranged on the opposing ends of said sections, longitudinal bolts rigidly connecting said flanges, a sectional wheel having its hub surrounding two adjacent flanges, bolts connecting-the sections of the wheel and clamping the same rigidly on both flanges, and longitudinal keys seated in grooves formed in the bore of the wheel and the periphery of the flanges, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 30th day of November, 1903.

CLARENCE N. SCOTT. Witnesses:

RODNEY D. HALL, F. S. (JoATEs.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 755,058, grant-ed March 22, 1904,

upon the application of Clarence N. Scott, of Buffalo, New York, for an improvement in Shaft-Couplings,

an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction,

as follows: In line 64, page I, the word other should read outer; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of April, A. D., 1904.

[SEAL.]

F. I. ALLEN,

Commissioner of Patents.

u rrechw m LUHGIS talent at. waved J represents a centering-ring which sursurrounds the ad acent couplinghinges on the opposing ends of the shaft-sections and engages its bore snugly with the periphm'y This ring is preferably divided of the same. and forms the hub of a fly-wheel K, which is employed for balancing the compressor-engine. The parts or sections of this divided fly-wheel are connected in any suitable manner, the preferred connection shown in the drawings comprising tangential bolts Z", passing through the wheel-sections adjacent to the centering-ring. In order to compel the fly-wheel and the shafts to rotate together, longitudinal keys j are interposed between the centering-ring and the coupling-flanges, the periphery of the latter and the bore of the centeringring having suitable key-receiving grooves or seats for this purpose.

In assembling the parts the shafts are lowered into their bearings, the bearing-caps are fastened over the shafts, and the couplingbolts I are applied to the flanges. The sections of the fly-wheel of which the hub forms the centering-ring are next applied to the coupling-flanges, the wheel-sections being connected with each other by the bolts k and caused to turn positively with the flanges and shafts by inserting the keys j. When it is desired to remove the shafts from their bearings, the parts are dismembered in the reverse order of that just described.

By constructing the opposing ends of the shaft-sections and the faces of the couplingflanges so that they are non-interlocking it is possible to lower each shaft-section into its bearings and lift the same therefrom independent of the other shaft-section without requiring either section to be moved axially for this purpose. The centering-ring serves the double function of holding the shaft-sections reliably in axial alinement and of furnishing a convenient means for mounting the fly-wheel on the shafts.

It will be observed that when the parts are assembled in the manner described the shaftl 1 l 1 i sections, coupling-flanges, and centering-ring are rigidly held against axial movement relatively to one another. This is especially desirable for coupling the sections of large divided shafts which when coupled must be perfectly rigid axially.

\Vhile my improved shaft-coupling is shown as connecting the shaft of a duplex engine composed of two sections, it obviously may be used for coupling sectional shafts of other machines in which similar conditions exist or for coupling the sections of a shaft which is composed of more than two sections.

1 claim as my invention 1. The combination of a shaft comprising a plurality of non-interlocking sections ar ranged axially in line, non-interlocking flanges arranged on the opposing ends of said sections, bolts passing lengthwise through said flanges and rigidly connecting the same. a sectional ring surrounding two adjacent flanges, bolts connecting the sections of the ring and rigidly clamping the same on both flanges, and keys interposed between said ring and flanges, substantially asset forth.

2. The combination of divided bearings, a shaft comprising a plurality of non-interlocking sections rotating in said bearings and provided with shoulders engaging the side of said bearings for holding the shaft against axial movement therein, non-interlocking flanges arranged on the opposing ends of said sections, longitudinal bolts rigidly connecting said flanges, a sectional wheel having its hub surrounding two adjacent flanges, bolts connecting-the sections of the wheel and clamping the same rigidly on both flanges, and longitudinal keys seated in grooves formed in the bore of the wheel and the periphery of the flanges, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 30th day of November, 1903.

CLARENCE N. SCOTT. Witnesses:

RODNEY D. HALL, F. S. (JoATEs.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 755,058, grant-ed March 22, 1904,

upon the application of Clarence N. Scott, of Buffalo, New York, for an improvement in Shaft-Couplings,

an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction,

as follows: In line 64, page I, the word other should read outer; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of April, A. D., 1904.

[SEAL.]

F. I. ALLEN,

Commissioner of Patents.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 755,053, granted March 22, 1904,

upon the application of Clarence N. Scott, of Bufiltlo, New York, for an improvement in Shaft-Couplings, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 64, page I, the word other should read outer; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Ofiiee.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of April, A. D., 1904.

[SEAL] F. I. ALLEN,

Commissioner of Patents.

uplrechw m LUIlelS talent no. wqvss. 

